January has never been my favorite month. This year was no different. It was filled with sickness and sadness.
I'm ready for February.
February joy.
In other news...
Yeah for me!!! I've made it one month with this project and still going strong!
Sometimes all it takes is a big empty box and some smelly markers to keep 'em happy.
Big empty box and smelly markers joy.
A mother just knows when something is just not right with her child. It's like a sixth sense.
We made 3 trips to the doctor this week. After each visit, I wasn't completely confident that the high fevers, decreased appetite, irritable behavior, lack of energy, etc. were all due to the immunizations.
Today, my baby needed to have an IV put in to rehydrate his poor little body. It tears your heart out to see your child so sick. You just feel so helpless.
What is my "simple joy" today? I actually have several. My baby didn't need to be admitted into the hospital. He has eaten. He has played. He has smiled. He has even laughed.
And I don't think my oldest son has chicken pox like I thought he did earlier this evening.
God is so good.
Thankful joy.
My poor babies woke up with a fever again this morning. The only thing that made them calm down was the cool bath I gave them in the kitchen sink. Thank goodness that we have a large kitchen sink.
Big sink joy.
I needed to capture a moment like this today. I love reading to my children but I think I love hearing them read to each other even more.
My baby is learning to read joy.
Update on "the fever"... I think the boys are on the road to health because they have been fever free for 10-hours. One of the twins did have blood work done and that thankfully came back normal. Praying that my babies will feel better soon.
From the bottom of my heart... thank you to my mom, my mother-in-law and father-in-law, and my hubby for quickly rearranging your schedules today! It meant more than you know...
It breaks my heart when my children are sick. I would much rather be the sick one.
My twins got their 12-month immunizations last week. After 4 days and no sign of any side-effects, I thought they were in the clear. Day 5... high fevers for them both. My poor babies have been miserable for 4 days now. We took them to the dr. yesterday just to make sure there weren't any underlying issues. We can keep blaming the shots.
I never liked shots as a kid. I really don't like them as a mom.
My joy?? All they want to do is cuddle.
Cuddling sick babies joy.
Some of my fellow 365 Project friends are doing a "Me Monday". I'll try it but it may end up being a "Me Monthly".
I have been inspired by a photographer friend to list some facts about me. I'll give it a whirl.
Here are 11 things about me...
1. I am so blessed with an amazing family and wonderful friends. I can't tell them enough how thankful I am for them.
2. I have 4 children who are 4-years old and younger. They are all named after presidents because I am a teacher who had to stick with a theme.
3. There is an indescribable feeling I get while I'm enjoying a good book... especially when there is a little person... or two... or four sitting on my lap enjoying it with me.
4. I have known my hubby for almost 20-years. He still gives me butterflies.
5. Photography is my passion. I think of my camera as my 5th child.
6. I hate my knees.
7. I have to make my bed every day.
8. I'll never be pregnant again and that makes me sad. I know our family is complete but I truly loved being pregnant and bringing new life into the world.
9. I love to scrapbook. I have been working on my wedding album for 4 years. I hope to finish it before our 50th wedding anniversary.
10. I'm a self-taught knitter and crocheter.
11. My husband and children are my heart in human form.
Me joy.
My poor hubby...
Today was just not his day.
Yet, he still smiled and laughed with our son as they made blueberry muffins together.
Love my hubby joy.
I am as passionate about scrapbooking as I am about photography. There is an indescribable feeling I get as I document the memories of my life. I know that these special keepsakes will be passed on to my children, then their children... and on and on...
I truly enjoy sharing my 365 Simple Joys blog with family, friends, and others who are also taking on this project. But, to me, there is nothing like actually touching the photographs, the hand-written journaling, the album.
Today, my Project Life scrapbooking kit created by Becky Higgins arrived! Yippee!!! This kit will be a key element in continuing and, hopefully, completing this project.
Yes, taking a photo a day, uploading it, blogging it, sharing it, and then scrapbooking it requires a lot of time. BUT my hope is that the time spent to complete this project will be just a fraction of time that it will be loved and treasured by those that I love and treasure.
Project Life joy.
One more thing... today my cousin is celebrating her birthday. We don't live close to one another. We don't talk to each other as often as we should. That doesn't mean that I don't think of her... especially on her birthday! Happy Birthday, Melissa!! I love you!!!!
I love sharing my love of photography with my kiddos. Although, they are a lot like me. They would rather be behind the camera.
Today my son learned how to properly hold the camera. Tomorrow's lesson will focus on cleaning and caring for your gear.
Photography joy.
I decided today that I actually feel worse if I just sit around and dwell on how sick I am. So, I cleaned my kitchen. I washed the cabinets. Scrubbed the floors on my hands and knees. I even cleaned the inside of the refrigerator.
When I was done, I went back on the couch for a few minutes to feel sick again.
Sparkly clean kitchen joy.
This little man needed a bath after enjoying his ravioli lunch. We have 4 bathrooms but only one of them has a tub. The bathroom that has a tub is being remodeled right now so we bathe the younger kiddos in the kitchen sink.
So much for my clean kitchen sink.
Clean baby joy.
I have a cold. A bad one. I have a horrid headache. My nose is raw from the blowing and wiping. My throat feels like I've swallowed razor blades.
My joy? My kids are healthy.
Healthy kids joy.
Happy Anniversary to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law! Lots of love to you!
I have been trying to fight a little cold these past few days. The best medicine I have been given is a heart-melting smile from my self-dressed baby girl.
I'm feeling better already.
Best medicine joy.
Another "joy" from today is that I am so geeked up about getting into an online photography workshop! The class filled in under 5 minutes! I'm hoping with this workshop my photography skills will only improve. Yippee!!!
Corn poppers. Kids love them. Adults hate them.
By the way, I'm signing him up for America's Got Talent tomorrow. LOL!!
Corn popper joy.
I'm not a huge fan of winter. I don't like driving on snow-covered roads. I hate being cold. The process of bundling up to go outside exhausts me.
All that aside, I do think winter is beautiful.
Winter morning joy.
The family and I celebrated my little brother's birthday tonight. We went out for pizza. Veggie pizza is yummy! I think it was especially good since I didn't have to make it or clean up after we were done eating it.
Hope you had a great 26th birthday, Dusty! Love you!
Veggie pizza joy.
I enjoyed a game of Candyland with my favorite 4-year old today. I forgot how much I enjoy that game. I love winning. Today, I loved losing more.
Candyland joy.
My sweet baby girl through the opening of a tower of colorful stacking bowls. Sometimes a mommy just needs to play with toys, too.
Colorful toy joy.
My kiddos have been sick with all sorts of nastiness. We have been home. A lot.
The new toys are no longer entertaining them. Apparently their own reflection is the best toy of all.
I was able to put this mirror up in my daughter's room. Smudge marks and all.
Reflection joy.
I cherish the moments that my children are awake. I love every discovery, smile, and giggle.
I cherish the moments that my children are sleeping. I love the silence.
Silent joy.
It's rare for me to be alone. I can hardly go to the bathroom or shower without having a little person (or two... or all four) joining me. I'm ok with that but there are times that I just need to have a little "me time".
Today I took some time for me. So I went for a drive. No music. Just me. Alone.
Peaceful joy.
Then I came back home ready to put myself on hold for a while.
Today a special little girl turned ONE! Happy Birthday to my niece, Grace!
There is something about colorful sun flare that makes me feel giddy. I didn't even notice that I was knee deep in snow to capture this. After several days of dull, gray skies, it was nice to see the sun again.
Sunflare joy.
Should I be concerned that my 2-year old daughter is carrying around her pink toy gun in her baby doll's stroller? LOL!! At least I won't have to worry about her being a protective mother. In case you are wondering, we did not buy that gun for her.
Funny joy.
Today this little man reached up to me and said "momma". That small word meant the world to me.
First words joy...
Last year I taught myself how to knit and crochet. (I'm a DIY kind of gal). I LOVE yarn! I love the way it feels. I love the way it smells. I love the colors. Today my oldest two kids helped me sort and organize my yarn. It's been a while since I've picked up those knitting needles. I think when the house is quiet tonight, I just may knit something.
Yarn joy.
This post is in celebration of the best yarn ball winder I know (not to mention a very special friend). Happy Birthday, Katie!
Where is the joy in THIS MUCH laundry??? I had to dig a little for that answer but it came to me quickly... God has blessed my life with 4 beautiful children and 1 fabulous hubby. I would much rather do 8 loads of laundry in one day than not have my family in my life.
Laundry joy.
I'm breaking my own rules by posting two pictures today. I couldn't resist this one. My 4-year old went back to preschool today and apparently it pooped him out. I thought it was especially sweet that his hands were folded.
Sleeping joy.
One more thing... Happy Birthday, Aunt Kay!!
Ahh... reading before nap time. It's one of my favorite times of the day. I don't know gives me more joy... having the boys on my lap while I read to them or watching the man that I love share a special moment with our children.
Naptime joy.
My daughter and I spent the morning together... at the dr.'s office. The poor thing has had a red spot on her eye for the past few days that has not gone away. Despite the fact that we spent most of the day at the dr.'s and Walmart waiting for her prescription, it was nice to spend that one-on-one time with her. It looks like we will be spending more time together on Monday since she has to go see an eye doctor. I hope and pray that it is nothing serious and am looking forward to spending more one-on-one time with my baby girl.
Mommy-Daughter time joy.
My 4-year old's expression of his love for me made it easy to decide what to post as my first "simple joy" of 2010. I love you more than words, buddy...
I Love You joy.
Happy 2010! I generally don't make New Year's resolutions. If I want to change or improve something, I usually just do it... no matter what day of the year. On this day, January 1, 2010, I am starting a project that I believe will become very dear to my heart.
My hope is to capture and document the "simple joys" of my every day life of 2010 as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. And so... let the simple joys be abundant this year!
